Protein profiling by two dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) represented a basic protein fingerprinting in tea

Abstract

We report about the use of protein profiling by two dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) to identify a particular tea clone or cultivar from our recently considered three tea cultivars (TV1, TV6 and HK22/14). Comparison of 2-DE gel pictures for each cultivar provided a unique banding patterns of protein spots on 2-DE gel which remain unchanged after challenging with biotic (Helopeltis and red spider infested) and abiotic (drought) stresses. Therefore, it can be concluded that 2-DE may be used as a protein marker for identifying a desirable tea cultivar to be used in tea breeding programme.